OF VICTORIA. 233 



During the breeding season, which commences at the end of 

 September and ends in January, it confines itself to a very 

 monotonous although melodious cry, the first part of which 

 is quickly repeated and ends in a lower note." 



Dr. Ramsay, in the Ibis, 1893 volume, writes: — "During 

 the winter months these birds may be found in flocks of 

 from five to twenty in number, feeding upon various 

 cultivated and wild fruits, and often in company with the 

 fruit-eating Magpie (Strepera), the note of which they often 

 imitate. They frequent nearly all the orchards and gardens 

 about Sydney, especially if they contain any of the native 

 olive or Moreton Bay fig trees in fiuit, to which they are 

 very partial. I have known them, though seemingly with 

 great reluctance, eat the berries of the white cedar. Towards 

 the beginning of September those near Sydney pair and 

 seek for breeding-places, each couple selecting a distinct 

 locality, where they remain during the whole of the season ; 

 even if the nest be taken, they will, like the Grallina 

 australis, continue building near the same place until the 

 season has expired." There is a divergence between the 

 Orioles of the mainland and those of the Malay Archipelago, 

 as noted by Mr. Wallace, and interesting as a case of pro- 

 tection. The two species of the islands unconsciously mimic 

 the Leatherheads (Philemon) and thus lead birds of prey 

 to believe they have to deal with the pugnacious Leather- 

 head instead of the harmless bird under notice. 



JV^est. — Open and suspended to a swaying branch ; grasses 

 and leaves lined internally with soft materials ; diameter 

 about 4 inches. 



jEggs. — Three to a sitting generally ; the ground colour is 

 cream, over which are umber and brown spots, and faint 

 lilac marks appearing as if beneath the surface. Length, 

 1*25 inches ; breadth, 09 inch. 



